75. Letter From the Commander in Chief, Pacific’s Chief of Staff (Riley) to the Chief of the Military Assistance Advisory Group in Vietnam (Williams)1

Dear Sam: At about the time you receive this you will receive CINCPAC s letter of 25 May, serial 00341,2 subject: Advisory Responsibilities of CHMAAG Vietnam in regard to Vietnamese Anti-guerrilla Operations.

The official letter to which I refer is the result of your letters to me of 31 March and 14 April 1959.3 All of the spadework on this subject had been accomplished prior to my departure from Hawaii on my recent trip, and I had assumed that action was completed during my absence. However, on checking upon my return, I found that the directive had not been signed, so I have followed it up.

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With reference to the lead in to paragraph 3, we realize that it may be necessary for you to “inspire” a request from or the concurrence of the Vietnamese Government. However, this is matter which is left to your discretion.4

Thank you again for putting up with me and my, [illegible] during my recent visit. It was good to see you and Jewel again, despite the physical handicap.

Warm regards,

Sincerely,

H.D. Riley5
Vice Admiral U.S. Navy
  1. Source: Center of Military History, Williams Papers, Official Correspondence January–July 1959 (54). Secret-Personal.
  2. Supra.
  3. Documents 61 and 64, respectively.
  4. See Document 77.
  5. Printed from a copy which bears this typed signature.